Abir X6 Robot Vacuum Cleaner Review

Abir X6 Review: Arguably the best robot vacuum cleaner without lidar. Artificial intelligence versus manual cleaning 2022.

Modern robotic vacuum cleaners can be roughly divided into 3 categories. The first category is cheap models, which are largely wasted money. Their suction power is small, and their intelligence is so low that the robot will only create the appearance of cleaning, poking at the corners and knocking with its “head” on furniture. The second category is lidar robots. They clean the room efficiently and consciously, scanning the environment with their sensors. The disadvantage of these models is the price, which is about twice as expensive as that of models without lidar. The third category — in my opinion, is the golden mean, because these robots are equipped with advanced intelligence, they can draw maps, but they manage with other sensors and methods of “scanning” the room. Today’s hero of the review, The ABIR X6 robot vacuum cleaner works with SLAM navigation (Simultaneous Localization And Mappin) and VSLAM (Visual SLAM), that is, simultaneous navigation and map building, and the camera is an auxiliary tool for more accurate positioning, identifying obstacles and comparing the information received with that, what has been preserved in memory after cleaning from the last time.

I can memorize a map of the rooms to be cleaned and objects encountered on the way, and during subsequent cleaning it quickly follows a familiar route, correcting its map if necessary. If during cleaning it runs out of charge, it returns to the base without any problems (even if it is located in another room), and after charging it returns to cleaning from the same place where it finished last time. and the camera is an auxiliary tool for more accurate positioning, determining obstacles and comparing the information received with what has been stored in memory after cleaning from the last time. ABIR X6 can memorize a map of the rooms to be cleaned and objects encountered on the way, and during subsequent cleaning it quickly follows a familiar route, correcting its map if necessary. If during cleaning it runs out of charge, it returns to the base without any problems (even if it is located in another room), and after charging it returns to cleaning from the same place where it finished last time. and the camera is an auxiliary tool for more accurate positioning, determining obstacles and comparing the information received with what has been stored in memory after cleaning from the last time. ABIR X6 can memorize a map of the rooms to be cleaned and objects encountered on the way, and during subsequent cleaning it quickly follows a familiar route, correcting its map if necessary. If during cleaning it runs out of charge, it returns to the base without any problems (even if it is located in another room), and after charging it returns to cleaning from the same place where it finished last time. encountered on the way and during subsequent cleanings, he quickly follows a familiar route, correcting his map if necessary. If during cleaning it runs out of charge, it returns to the base without any problems (even if it is located in another room), and after charging it returns to cleaning from the same place where it finished last time. encountered on the way and during subsequent cleanings, he quickly follows a familiar route, correcting his map if necessary. If during cleaning it runs out of charge, it returns to the base without any problems (even if it is located in another room), and after charging it returns to cleaning from the same place where it finished last time.

Functions and Specifications:

• Intelligence capabilities : a navigation system using SLAM, VSLAM and a camera, building maps and storing them in memory with subsequent updates when changes are made, automatically returning to the base when the charge is low and resuming cleaning from the same place after reaching 80% of the charge, it is possible to work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Yandex Alice.
• Features : Japanese NIDEC brushless motor, maximum suction power 3200Pa, high static pressure air duct, main V-brush and variable speed side brushes.
• Cleaning : 2 types of cleaning — dry (vacuum cleaner) and wet (polisher), 3 modes of suction power, 3 speeds of water supply, dust container 600 ml and water container 360 ml, V-shaped brush for cleaning hair and debris
• Application features : Displaying a map of a room, controlling a robot on a constructed map, spot cleaning in a given place, building virtual boundaries or highlighting a zone needed for cleaning, updating the robot’s software via WiFi.
• Productivity : Movement speed 22 cm / sec for perimeter cleaning and 32 cm / sec for normal cleaning, Ability to overcome obstacles 2 cm. Noise level 55dB. The battery capacity is 2600mAh, which allows for up to 120 minutes of cleaning (approximate cleaning area from a full charge is 200 square meters with standard suction power).
• Warranty : 3 years

The first thing to note: depending on where you live, you can choose a warehouse from which the robot vacuum cleaner will be sent: USA, EU or China. This means that you do not need to pay additional taxes to customs. Well, delivery takes not a month, but about a week. I received a huge box at the post office and it’s good that I was in a car — carrying it in my hands is not a good idea. The box immediately shows what you are getting. This is how the main box looks like, on top of which there was a rough one (I already threw it out), but also with a drawing of a robot and an indication that it is a robot vacuum cleaner.

Actually, without any delay, let’s consider the robot. Classic design, black color. The surface has a nice pattern that makes dust on the body and prints less noticeable.

Bumper with sensors and rubber rim. In those cases when he crashes into furniture, he does not damage it and does not frighten others with a loud knock.

This is not the first robot in my apartment, so I take this technique calmly. Literally in a couple of days, I no longer paid attention to the robot and with my curiosity I no longer interfere with cleaning it. And he, in turn, does not interfere with my work or rest. We have a good synergy.

2 large physical buttons for turning on or sending to the base. The buttons are backlit, which turns on when pressed. Between the buttons, you can see a tiny LED that signals the connection to the WiFi network.

The robot’s eye is pointed upwards at a 45 degree angle. The camera really helps with navigation, which is easy to check. If you cover it with electrical tape, then the robot becomes noticeably dull and more often crashes into furniture. If there is paranoia and it seems to you that the Chinese are watching you through the camera, then you don’t need to glue / sketch / pick it out, just take the ABIR X5 model, which is distinguished by the absence of this camera. But again, the camera really helps with navigation.

On the right you can find a physical power button and a power connector in case you want to charge it without using the docking station. Also on the case there is a QR code for connecting the robot in the WeBack application.

On the opposite side there is a speaker, with the help of which the robot communicates with us in a pleasant female voice in English, voicing the actions performed and, if necessary, asking for help. In the application, you can turn off voice alerts and the robot will clean without unnecessary chatter.

On the back there is a container and an orange handle with a button for removing it. On the left side of the container there are openings from which purified air comes out, on the right there is a snag for symmetry in the design.

Turn it over? Everything here is thought out and at the same time quite standard: contacts for charging, height sensors (so that the robot does not fall off the steps).

The battery compartment is behind a cover that is secured with 2 screws.

A battery with a capacity of 2600 mAh at a voltage of 14.8V or more understandable 38.48 Wh. The battery consists of 18650 lithium batteries. It is connected with a 3-pin connector and, if necessary, can be changed by the owner himself in 30 seconds. So we put a plus on serviceability.

The wheels are wide, with a high rubber tread.

The shock absorber travel is large enough, which allows you to easily overcome thresholds and climb carpets.

It is stated that the robot overcomes obstacles with a height of up to 2 cm. The height of the wheel is about 4 cm, so at home he simply does not notice the sills between rooms, rolling on them as if on a flat floor.

Each wheel has an independent motor and in case of failure it can be easily replaced independently.

Just unscrew a few screws, unfasten the spring.

And disconnect the connector. Do not forget about the 3-year warranty and if the engine fails during the warranty period, they will simply send you a new one and you can change it yourself in a couple of minutes. We put a plus on maintainability.

The V-shaped brush can be easily removed for cleaning. If you have long-haired representatives of the human or animal world at home, then from time to time you will have to cut off the coiled hair (for this there is a special piece in the kit). But cleans up cool! Animal hair, human hair — all this is absorbed with a bang.

We unfasten the container, there is nothing interesting under it.

The container itself is made of matte dark plastic and has cleaning and maintenance instructions on its surface.

Opening the hatch — we get access to the HEPA filter.

On the back of the cartridge there is a regular filter with a fine mesh.

To shake out the debris, you need to open the top cover.

There is also a second nozzle — for wet cleaning, it is blue. There is a hole where you need to pour water. Closed with a plug. There are also cleaning instructions.

Full tank 360 ml, but only up to 300 ml.

A cloth for washing is made of microfiber, under the cloth there is a nozzle from which water is supplied.

The water comes out by gravity very slowly, it took about 20 ml in 12 hours.

Which just soaked into a rag (it was wet), but there was no puddle. So it is not scary if the robot stands for several hours, but it is better not to leave it for a very long time — moisture does not affect parquet and laminate in the best way.

Now let’s see what else was in the kit. In fact, all consumables for the vacuum cleaner are present in 2 copies, that is, in addition to what I have already installed, there are also spare side brushes, a spare HEPA filter and a spare rag. Not bad.

For cleaning, there is such a device, which is both a brush for cleaning filters and a knife for trimming coiled hair. And on the side opposite to the brush, an incomprehensible “pick”. If you know what it is — write in the comments.

Also included is a charging station and power supply.

The rubber pads are very grippy and the base does not slip on the laminate. Where you put it, there you will find it. The base indicates that charging occurs with a current of 0.6A at a voltage of 19V.

The power supply has the same parameters. The robot takes a long time to charge, about 5 hours. But this is not a problem, because for a complete cleaning of a 2-room apartment + kitchen + corridor, it usually barely uses up 40% of the charge.

The charging station is equipped with a small LED that indicates the presence of power.

I almost forgot. There is also a remote control, although I only used it once, when I checked it. It looks like someone sawed it in half and threw out the top. Funny. But, of course, it is more convenient to do everything through a smartphone, so the remote control is more useful for households if they want to start the robot in my absence. It can be used for manual control by pressing the arrows to indicate the direction. The child really likes it. He plays, and the apartment becomes cleaner, although usually the opposite is true. It can also be used to enable spot cleaning, cleaning around the perimeter and send it to the base for recharging. You can also adjust the suction power from the remote control.

There is also various documentation: user manual, manual for initial connection, manual for using a water tank and instructions for installing and configuring the application. Everything is in English. If you don’t know the language well, then all the documentation has been translated into English and is available in electronic form, you can download the user manua, and the instructions for installing and configuring the application.

Let’s take a look at the application and take a look at its capabilities. First, a small instruction on how to connect:

• install the WeBack application on the smartphone, it is available in the market.
• In the application, click “add device”, after which a scanner opens, which you need to read the qr code placed on the body of the robot.
• Press the power button on the robot and hold it for a few seconds until you hear a beep
• Next, select a WiFi network, necessarily in the 2.4 Ghz range, because 5 Ghz is not supported.

Next comes the connection, and if everything went well, the application displays the robot and its status, as well as the residual charge.

Next, I recommend checking for updates. In my case, a new firmware was found, which is installed in the device in several stages. After the update, you can start using.

Let’s look at its algorithm using the example of one cleaning. First he cleans one room, then he moves to another, then to a third. In each room, he sequentially goes through the entire area, and when he goes through all the rooms, he cleans the perimeter, also checking the places that he did not get to the first time.

At the end, he returns to the base to recharge. I change the container to a tank with water and start a new cleaning, here he already cleans up on the saved map and moves more logically and purposefully. For wet cleaning, you can choose one of 3 levels of water flow intensity. He uses water very sparingly, so you can safely turn on the 2nd or even 3rd level. For the whole cleaning it took a third of the tank at the 2nd level of intensity. You can also indicate on the map the point where the robot needs to go. He will go there, even if he is in another room, guided by his saved map.

• In the application, you can select the cleaning mode: automatic, along the walls and spot.
• Suction power: quiet mode, normal and powerful. In quiet mode, you can safely read a book or watch TV, but usually I turn on the normal one — this way it cleans up much better. A powerful one is suitable for cleaning carpets if you have any in your home.
• Also on the map, you can select an area for cleaning, beyond which the vacuum cleaner will not go out, or install a virtual wall. You can specify a target for spot cleaning or enable manual control. You can also reset the map and the robot will start building it again.

There are 3 important switches in the app settings:

• voice notifications — turn off and the robot becomes mute like a fish. No chatter, just cleaning.
• Overcoming ledges. Don’t want the robot to clean the shaggy carpet? or did you move the threshold to another room? Or not rolling on the bathroom scales? Turn off the slider and the robot will not try to overcome high obstacles.
• Cleaning with recharge. It is better to leave this item so that the robot can continue cleaning after recharging.

It is also possible to set up a schedule so that the robot will automatically clean the apartment at a certain time, on certain days of the week.

It is also possible to share the control, for example with family members. Then, having installed the application, they can also use it.

It is also possible for someone to be interested that the robot works with the voice assistant Alice and you can give orders to the unfortunate slave in a stern voice while lying on the couch. I could not rate this, because during registration, the application is tied to a mobile phone number, and Alice works only with the exposed region of the EU/US. But judging by what I saw, the setup is simple. In Yandex, with Alice, go to the devices, click “add device” and select WeBack from the list, after which the accounts are combined and you can, for example, ask Alice to turn on automatic cleaning. Something like this.

Now personal impressions. I am 100% satisfied with the quality of cleaning, it is enough to run it 2 times a week to keep it clean. I have absolutely no carpets (allergy sufferers), but for a test I went to my parents and checked how he would cope with them. The carpet with a small pile was cleaned well, but in the “grass” carpet it constantly got confused and eventually wound the fringe from the edge of the carpet and got stuck. Perfectly removes smooth surfaces: parquet, laminate, linoleum, tiles. Before the first launch, I did not clean it up for several days, I was wondering how much garbage it would collect. And when I took out the filter, I saw it.

The most natural fine dust cork. I have only one type of allergy attack.

Behind the cork there is larger dust and hair, a lot of hair. I hope no one is eating now, I do not want to spoil my appetite.

Well, at the bottom of the container there is larger garbage, sand and other muck …

Then I carried out a wet cleaning. Not to say that the rag was black, but there was dirt on it. Although, of course, I will wash better with a mop.

Okay, I will not show more horrors and will simply supplement the review with some observations. The robot is really good at cleaning, and also sees and remembers furniture. If my last Liectroux hammered into all walls and cabinets, then this one stops BEFORE the collision. Collisions still happen if the furniture is black, but not so strong — just light touches. And mostly when drawing a map. On the finished map, he drives like a master through his domains. In general, the cleaning algorithm is correct and the robot goes through every square meter of the room, leaving no uncleaned areas. The application is well thought out and convenient. The design of the robot is reliable and it is maintainable even at home. By the way, let me remind you that the warranty is 3 years, and this already says a lot. In principle, I really liked the robot, probably only models with a lidar are better,

Now on aliexpress there is a sale and there is an opportunity to save a lot, because ABIR X6 is on sale with a good discount.

That’s all, happy shopping!